Wednesday’s Children and the Law News Roundup

Libyan prosecutors have been finding out more about the best ways to uphold children’s rights. The four-day training course, for 25 prosecutors, is the second stage of a scheme aimed at preparing a solid basis for building a juvenile judicial system in Libya.

The programme has been organised by the Ministry of Social Affairs, the Libyan Higher Judicial Institute and the United Nations children’s fund UNICEF . . . The project has also included a three-day consultation on drafting a Juvenile Justice Law, led and hosted by the HJI.

A recent study of Libya’s existing laws, supported by UNICEF, showed that the country already has some regulations in place dealing with child protection. The death penalty is prohibited for under-18s and the legal age for marriage is 20. Corporal punishment in schools is also forbidden, although evidence suggests that, in some institutions, this rule flouted.

According to UNICEF, work is still needed, however, to bring the country’s legal system into line with international standards and provide adequate protection for children.

Lawyers for a Harford County teen accused of killing his father last year attempted to convince a judge Friday that it would be unconstitutional to try the 17-year-old as an adult.

Robert C. Richardson III’s attorneys also said the boy is suffering from the effects of isolation at the county jail, asking at a motions hearing for their client to be transferred to a facility for juveniles. They said he is being held in solitary confinement at the Harford County Detention Center.

Juveniles in Escambia County who commit a first time misdemeanor might be given a second chance. The Juvenile Civil Citation Expansion program will help give . . . Juveniles with a first time misdemeanor . . . a citation and community service.

The Florida Department of Juvenile Justice says among other benefits this will be a significant cost savings. Last year there were more than 2200 youth arrest in Escambia County. Nearly 560 of those were first time misdemeanor arrest. Potential savings could be around 2.6 million dollars a year. In the DJJ sits juveniles who have committed crimes and will now have felonies or misdemeanors on their records. Some keeping them from getting jobs in the future.

The new program is targeted to help the youth and keep them from becoming repeat offenders . . . The citation program will not be a “get out of jail free card”… Citations will be given to youth who commit first time non-violent misdemeanors community service will also follow. Once completed the youth will leave the program with no record to follow.

Contact Us

Center for Children, Law & Policy (CCLP)
Southwest Juvenile Defender Center (SWJDC)
Director Ellen Marrus, J.D., LL.M.,
George Butler Research Professor of Law
University of Houston Law CenterEMarrus@uh.edu